Family Emergency Scams

Grandparent/Family Emergency scams most often involve scammers posing as relatives or friends making frantic calls or sending messages begging for money to be wired immediately due to an emergency. They may claim they are in jail, in the hospital, in another state or foreign country and need money sent immediately because they face an emergency. They make it convincing that the loved on is in distress and ask for hundreds or thousands of dollars to be sent. Sometimes the scammers work in a team, with one posing as the loved one and the other acting as if they are law enforcement or an official to get the person to send money by Western Union or Money Gram. They choose this method because wiring money is almost the same as sending cash. Typically there is no way you can reverse the transaction, trace the money, or recover payment.

If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a family member or a friend desperate for money try to stay calm and avoid the urge to act instantly. No matter how desperate and convincing the story is verify that the person you are speaking to is who they claim to be. Ask questions that a stranger couldn't possibly answer. Verify where they are calling from. Contact the family member directly by calling them or someone they are close to. Check with other family members or friends to see if the story checks out even if the caller tells you to keep the matter a secret. Know that requests to wiring money are often a tell-tale sign of a scam. Never wire money or send checks or money orders overnight unless you have verified that the person is actually in trouble. You should also never provide your personal or financial information to anyone that calls you out of the blue on the phone or who you have not thoroughly checked out.

Report the scam to Business Consumer Alliance. If you have wired money contact the money transfer company right away to report the fraud. Ask if the transaction can be reversed and how to file a complaint.